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Thursday, 26 May 2011

Fabric shopping in Bali

I've been a bit quiet over the last couple of weeks as we have been away having a fabulous holiday in Bali. Before we left I had written down the addresses of fabric shops that I'd hoped to visit - there is apparently a whole street full of fabric shops in Denpasar. However, travelling with two young children didn't make it possible to get there :(

On the last morning of our trip I decided that I would just be too disappointed if I didn't see any fabric at all, so I left hubby and the boys in the hotel pool (that's our room in the picture - gorgeous!) and hired a driver to take me to nearby Kuta to a large shop there called Alta Moda (in the new Galeria mall). I was able to spend an hour browsing the three floors of fabrics (I could have easily spent longer there). As soon as I entered, an assistant came to help me. I had expected this from reading about the store, so I was quite happy to ask her to help me find what I was after. She was very helpful and polite, as all the Balinese seem to be. I had hoped to find some Metalicus-like fabric (two-way polyamide stretch), but they didn't have exactly that. I did find similar and lovely stretchy fabrics though, which I bought. Most of the fabrics there are medium to light weight, nothing really suitable for winter, but a massive selection for spring and summer. There is also a large selection of suiting and evening fabrics, which I hardly looked at. There were loads of patterned fabrics and I'm sure a quilter would be very excited in there. There were certainly loads of fabrics that I have never seen here in Perth.

The shop is very fancy, with mirrors everywhere. I wandered around the three levels and chose various fabrics that caught my eye - several stretch knits, lycra, linens, an interesting cotton with patchwork and ruffles, a lovely large net-type fabric and more. The fabrics I chose were priced between AU$2.50 to $7 per metre. So cheap! Every time I chose a roll, the assistant would take it downstairs for me. When I had finished choosing, I sat in a fancy chair and a flurry of activity began. I was brought each roll of fabric in turn and asked how much I wanted of each. Then seven assistants worked to measure, cut, package neatly in individual bags and record the details of each fabric! I ended up with 11 fabrics, mostly 2 or 3 metres of each, for a total of AU$82. I was pretty happy with my morning's efforts.

Next time I go to Bali I will definitely be going to the Denpasar fabric strip. Now I've had a taste of what's on offer I want more!!!! I hope this post will be useful for people interested in buying fabric in Bali. I searched the internet for hours before we went away and found very little information. If anyone has comments, questions or more info about fabric shopping in Bali (or anywhere), I would love to hear about it.

23 comments:

Thanks Meg, just over a year later your post has been very useful. We are currently in Bali and someone had told me about Alta Moda before we left but I left the details behind and couldn't remember the name or the location, only that is was several floors of fabric. You've saved the day, and we will be visiting there today or tomorrow well prepared for the experience all because of your post. Many thanks, Trish

The hotel was Dewani Villa Resort in Kerobokan (near Seminyak). It was stunning and everything about our stay there was really lovely. The only small drawback for us was that is a little way out of Seminyak so we needed a driver or taxi to get to town. It was a nice drive though, with gorgeous wicker furniture shops to drool over on the way. There are lots of reviews of the hotel online. Have a great holiday!

Hi! Came across your log and I'm going to Bali on Wednesday. I make hats and fascinators so I can't wait o go to this shop, don't think I will have time to go the fabric street in denpasar as we are going for a wedding o a short trip.

Did they have trimmings, buttons, etc? I'm oping to fn some sinamay and jinsin or even Paris cloth, owing o take some samples with me to see if they can help!! Can't wait o look at the evening fabrics!! Your hotel looks Devine!

Hi, I don't remember seeing trimmings or buttons at Alta Moda, which does seem strange now I think about it. Maybe I just didn't see them. They have an incredible range of fabric so would hopefully have what you are after. The assistants are very helpful and will suggest alternatives if they don't have exactly what you are looking for. One assistant will stay with you all the time to help, which seemed strange to me, but they are so sweet, patient and helpful. I think taking samples is a great idea as I had trouble explaining exactly what I was looking for sometimes. Yes, the hotel was gorgeous, it was Dewani Villa Resort. Have a fantastic time :)

Did they have trimmings, buttons, etc? I'm oping to fn some sinamay and jinsin or even Paris cloth, owing o take some samples with me to see if they can help!! Can't wait o look at the evening fabrics!! Your hotel looks Devine!

Hi everyone there's a shop that just sells linen in jl Kerobokan and buttons ,trimmings,well everything on jl raya kuta,2shops on one side and one on the other called central beads,it where everything on the island comes from

Hi Megan, I will be going to Bali soon and I have been trying to locate the fabric shops. Thanks to your blog I will definitely be going to the places that have been recommended. Thanks again. Can't wait!

Hi Megan... thanks for the great blog.... I'm going to Bali in 2 days time. can't wait to shop!! The Photos you have put up have me very interested indeed. I Quilt mostly, so looking forward to making one or two purchases... and the rest!!! Cheers Kath.

I'm off to Bali with an empty suitcase for fabric! Any leads to shops that specialize in silks? Are saris available? Has anyone seen silk or wool roving (raw or dyed fiber)- I've purchased it from Australia and wonder if it's available in Bali? Best shops or neighborhoods for gold and gemstone beads and jewelry findings?

I read this blog post sitting in the departure lounge of the airport as I waited to board my plane to Bali. I'm happy to say that 5 and a half years after you wrote it, it remains an accurate account. I wasn't met at the door by an assistant - but as there was a sale on it was very busy and very crowded - but once I made it to the first floor above the ground floor an assistant attached himself to me. I was amused that that male sales staff would assist shoppers by getting down bolts of fabric and unrolling them for display, but it was then up to the female staff members to re-roll the fabric and re-stack it! I've blogged about some of the fabric I bought here - http://madebybronwyn.blogspot.com.au/2017/02/a-new-year-new-dress.htmlIf fabric isn't the best souvenir of a holiday, I don't know what is! Anytime you are thinking of another trip there, let me know. Thanks so much for being the trailblazer.